Portable storage kit system

Abstract

A re-usable, portable, storage travel system for storing lotions, shampoos, creams, liquid medicines and the like for transport, particularly when traveling, in small-volume, flexible, sealable, plastic composite bags that will lay flat when not full and self-stand when partially filled and that will lay flat when not full and self-stand when partially filled. Further, the system provides adapters for transferring flowable materials from a larger container to a smaller container, particularly small-volume, flexible, sealable, plastic squeezable-tubes. Further, this invention also provides a re-usable, portable, storage travel system for storing a flowable food-grade substance such as, for example, liquor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 ) A portable system for holding at least one flowable substance available from at least one user-selected storage container comprising: 
 a) at least one container structured and arranged to receive the at least one flowable substance; and    b) at least one adapter structured and arranged to adapt the at least one user-selected storage container to assist efficient transfer of the at least one flowable substance from the at least one storage container into said at least one container;    c) wherein said at least one container comprises at least one access-spout structured and arranged to access an internal portion of said container;    d) wherein said at least one container comprises flexible-elements structured and arranged to flexibly assist said at least one container to be transported in a substantially-flat shape when said at least one container is empty; and    e) wherein said at least one container comprises flat-bottom elements structured and arranged to assist said at least one container to be stably supported in an upright position on a flat bottom when said at least one container is at least partially filled with the at least one flowable substance.    
     
     
         2 ) The portable system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one container comprises at least two containers.  
     
     
         3 ) The portable system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one container comprises a material compatible with food.  
     
     
         4 ) The portable system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one container comprises a material compatible with a cosmetic.  
     
     
         5 ) The portable system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one container comprises at least one flexible bag.  
     
     
         6 ) The portable system according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one flexible bag comprises at least a partially transparent material.  
     
     
         7 ) The portable system according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one flexible bag comprises a capacity less than about 500 ml.  
     
     
         8 ) The portable system according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one flexible bag comprises low density Polyethylene (LDPE) material having a thickness of not more than about 7 mils.  
     
     
         9 ) The portable system according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one adapter comprises at least one Yorker cap.  
     
     
         10 ) The portable system according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one flexible bag comprises at least one spout.  
     
     
         11 ) The portable system according to  claim 10  wherein the at least one spout comprises at least one non-spill valve.  
     
     
         12 ) The portable system according to  claim 10  further comprising at least one lanyard.  
     
     
         13 ) The portable system according to  claim 12  wherein said at least one lanyard is structured and arranged to attach to said at least one spout.  
     
     
         14 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one container comprises at least one flexible bag comprising at least one combination selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) bottom-gusset and at least one side gusset,  
 b) bottom-gusset only,  
 c) at least one side gusset with bottom-fold.  
 
     
     
         15 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one set of instructions for use of the system.  
     
     
         16 ) A portable refilling system comprising a kit for use and transport of at least one flowable substance from at least one user-selected original container comprising at least one threaded opening to at least one kit-system container comprising, in combination: 
 a) a plurality of containers structured and arranged to contain the at least one flowable substance;    b) at least one transferor structured and arranged to transfer the at least one flowable substance from the at least one user-selected original container to at least one of said plurality of containers;    c) wherein each of said plurality of containers comprises at least one ingress for ingress of the flowable substance from said container;    d) wherein each of said plurality of containers comprises at least one egress for egress of the flowable substance from said container;    e) wherein said transferor comprises at least one adapter structured and arranged to adapt the at least one threaded opening to transfer the flowable substance into at least one of said plurality of container;    f) wherein a user may transfer the at least one flowable substance from the at least one user-selected original container to at least one of said plurality of container.    
     
     
         17 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 16  wherein said adapter comprises: 
 a) a plurality of filler-cap assemblies, each respective filler-cap assembly comprising, 
 i) a filler nozzle element comprising an adapter base diameter structured and arranged to fit said at least one threaded opening, and  
 ii) a cover structured and arranged to cover said filler-nozzle element of said filler-cap assembly.  
 
 
     
     
         18 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 17  wherein said plurality of filler-cap assemblies comprises a plurality of Yorker caps.  
     
     
         19 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 17  wherein said transferor comprises a syringe structured and arranged to uptake the flowable substance and output the flowable substance.  
     
     
         20 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 19  wherein said syringe comprises a catheter syringe with a capacity of about sixty cubic centimeters.  
     
     
         21 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 19  wherein said syringe further comprises at least one tubing structured and arranged to transfer the flowable substance from the at least one user-selected original container to the syringe.  
     
     
         22 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 21  wherein said at least one tubing is between one-eighth inch and one-half inch plastic flexible tubing.  
     
     
         23 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 17  further comprising a travel-bag structured and arranged to hold and portably transport said plurality of containers, said adapter and said transporter.  
     
     
         24 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 17  wherein said plurality of containers comprises: 
 a) at least one first container comprising a first capacity;  
 b) at least one second container comprising a second capacity.  
 
     
     
         25 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 24  wherein: 
 a) said at least one first container comprises at least two first flexible bags; and  
 b) said least one second container capacity comprises at least two second flexible bags.  
 
     
     
         26 ) The portable system according to  claim 25  wherein each respective said at least two first flexible bags and each respective said at least two second flexible bags comprise at least one spout.  
     
     
         27 ) The portable system according to  claim 26  wherein each respective said at least one spout comprises at least one non-spill valve.  
     
     
         28 ) The portable system according to  claim 26  further comprising at least one lanyard.  
     
     
         29 ) The portable system according to  claim 28  wherein said at least one lanyard is structured and arranged to attach to said at least one spout.  
     
     
         30 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 16  wherein said at least one container comprises at least one flexible bag comprising at least one combination selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) bottom-gusset and at least one side gusset,  
 b) bottom-gusset only,  
 c) at least one side gusset with bottom-fold.  
 
     
     
         31 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 16  further comprising at least one set of instructions for use of the kit.  
     
     
         32 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 16  wherein at least one of said plurality of containers comprises: 
 a) at least one threaded-opening flexible tube;  
 b) wherein said at least one transferor comprises at least one second adapter structured and arranged to connect with said at least one first, adapter and to connect with said threaded-opening flexible tube; and  
 c) whereby the flowable substance may be transferred directly from the at least one user-selected original container to said at least one flexible tube.  
 
     
     
         33 ) A portable refilling system comprising a kit for use and transport of at least one flowable substance from at least one user-selected original container to at least one kit-system container comprising, in combination: 
 a) at least one flexible bag structured and arranged to receive the at least one flowable substance; and    b) at least one funnel structured and arranged to funnel the at least one flowable substance from the at least one user-selected storage container into said at least one container;    c) wherein said at least one flexible bag comprises at least one access-spout structured and arranged to access an internal portion of said at least one flexible bag;    d) wherein said at least one flexible bag comprises flexible-elements structured and arranged to flexibly assist said at least one flexible bag to be transported in a substantially-flat shape when said at least one flexible bag is empty; and    e) wherein said at least one flexible bag comprises flat-bottom elements structured and arranged to assist said at least one flexible bag to be stably supported in an upright position on flat bottom when said at least one flexible bag is at least partially filled with the at least one flowable substance;    f) wherein said at least one flexible bag comprises a material compatible with food.    
     
     
         34 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 33  further comprising at least one set of instructions for use of the kit.  
     
     
         35 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 33  further comprising volume markings on said at least one flexible bag.  
     
     
         36 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 33  further comprising packaging means for packaging together said at least one flexible bag and said at least one funnel.  
     
     
         37 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 33  wherein said at least one flexible bag comprises at least one combination selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) bottom-gusset and at least one side gusset,  
 b) bottom-gusset only,  
 c) at least one side gusset with bottom-fold.  
 
     
     
         38 ) The portable system according to  claim 33  wherein the at least one flexible bag comprises at least a partially transparent material.  
     
     
         39 ) The portable system according to  claim 33  wherein the at least one flexible bag comprises a capacity less than about 500 ml.  
     
     
         40 ) The portable system according to  claim 33  wherein the at least one flexible bag comprises Low density Polyethylene (LDPE) material having a thickness of not more than about 7 mils.  
     
     
         41 ) A method of use of a portable refilling system comprising a kit (for use and transport of at least one flowable substance from at least one user-selected original container, having at least one threaded opening, having at least one threaded original cap, into at least one flexible bag) comprising a plurality of flexible bags, each respective such flexible bag having an access-spout and an access-spout cap, and comprising a plurality of threaded adapter caps of various base diameters, each respective such threaded adapter cap having a similar nozzle structured and arranged to fit into the access-spout, comprising the steps of: 
 a) selecting an appropriately-sized adapter cap, from the plurality of adapter caps, structured and arranged to thread onto the at least one threaded opening of such original container;    b) threading the selected adapter cap onto such at least one threaded opening;    c) selecting at least one flexible bag from the plurality of flexible bags;    d) removing the access-spout cap from the access-spout of the selected flexible bag;    e) placing the nozzle of the selected adapter cap into the access-spout; and    f) transferring such flowable substance from such original container to such flexible bag.    
     
     
         42 ) The method of use according to  claim 41  further comprising the steps of: 
 a) after such transfer, re-capping the flexible bag with the access-spout cap; and  
 b) after such transfer, re-capping the original container with such threaded original cap.  
 
     
     
         43 ) A method of use of a portable refilling system comprising a kit (for use and transport of at least one flowable substance from at least one user-selected original container, having at least one accessible opening, to at least one flexible bag) comprising at least one catheter syringe, having a retractable plunger and a syringe tip, a length of tubing, having two ends, a plurality of flexible bags, each respective such flexible bag having an access-spout and an access-spout cap, comprising the steps of: 
 a) selecting the at least one user-selected original container;    b) selecting at least one flexible bag from the plurality of flexible bags;    c) measuring a user-desired length of tubing to reach from the syringe tip into the flowable substance reservoir in the user-selected original container;    d) cutting a user-desired length of tubing;    e) attaching an end of the cut length of tubing to the syringe tip;    f) drawing the at least one flowable substance through the cut length of tubing into the at least one catheter syringe by retracting the syringe plunger;    g) removing the tubing from the at least one catheter syringe;    h) placing the syringe tip into the at least one access-spout; and    i) transferring the at least one flowable substance from the at least one syringe to the at least one flexible bag by pushing the plunger towards the catheter tip.    
     
     
         44 ) The method of use according to  claim 43  further comprising the step of: 
 a) after such transfer, re-capping the flexible bag with the access-spout cap.  
 
     
     
         45 ) A container system for holding at least one flowable substance available from at least one user-selected storage container comprising: 
 a) at least one container structured and arranged to receive the at least one flowable substance; and    b) wherein said at least one container comprises at least one access-spout structured and arranged to access an internal portion of said container;    c) wherein said at least one container comprises flexible-elements structured and arranged to flexibly assist said at least one container to be transported in a substantially-flat shape when said at least one container is empty; and    d) wherein said at least one container comprises flat-bottom elements structured and arranged to assist said at least one container to be stably supported in an upright position on flat bottom when said at least one container is at least partially filled with the at least one flowable substance;    e) wherein the at least one flexible bag comprises a capacity less than about 500 ml.    
     
     
         46 ) The container system according to  claim 45  wherein the at least one container comprises at least a partially transparent material.  
     
     
         47 ) An adapter element, for assisting pouring of a flowable substance from a large container having at least one Yorker cap (with a funnel) to a small container having at least one threaded opening, comprising: 
 a) at least one access structured and arranged to flowably connect with the funnel of such at least one Yorker cap; and    b) at least one threaded port structured and arranged to connect with said at least one threaded opening;    c) wherein the flowable substance may be transferred directly from the large container to the small container.    
     
     
         48 ) The adapter element according to  claim 47  wherein the at least one threaded port is adapted to be used with at least one flexible squeeze-tube.  
     
     
         49 ) The adapter element according to  claim 48  wherein the at least one access is adapted to be used with at least one flexible squeeze-tube.  
     
     
         50 ) A method of use of a portable refilling system comprising a kit (for use and transport of at least one flowable substance from at least one user-selected original container, having at least one threaded opening and at least one threaded original cap, into at least one user-selected secondary container) comprising at least one flexible squeeze-tube, each respective such at least one flexible squeeze-tube having at least one access-opening and at least one access-opening cap, and further comprising at least one receiving adapter cap, structured and arranged to connect to the at least one access-opening of such flexible squeeze-tube and to adapt the access opening to receive at least one funnel end, and further comprising a plurality of threaded transfer adapter caps of various base diameters, each respective such threaded transfer adapter cap being structured and arranged to thread onto the at least one threaded opening of such original container and having at least one funnel end structured and arranged to fit into the at least one threaded receiving adapter cap, such method comprising the steps of: 
 a) selecting at least one transfer adapter cap, from the plurality of threaded transfer adapter caps, to fit such original container;    b) threading the selected at least one transfer adapter cap onto the at least one threaded opening of such original container;    c) selecting the at least one flexible squeeze-tube;    d) selecting the at least one receiving adapter cap;    e) connecting the selected at least one receiving adapter cap onto such at least one access-opening of such flexible squeeze-tube;    f) placing the funnel end of the selected at least one transfer adapter cap into the selected at least one receiving adapter cap; and    g) transferring such flowable substance from such at least one user-selected original container to such selected at least one flexible squeeze-tube.    
     
     
         51 ) The method of use according to  claim 50  wherein the at least one access-opening of such at least one flexible squeeze-tube is structured and arranged to hold at least one snap-on cap.  
     
     
         52 ) The method of use according to  claim 50  wherein the at least one access-opening of such at least one flexible squeeze-tube is structured and arranged to hold a threaded cap.  
     
     
         53 ) The method of use according to  claim 50  further comprising the steps of: 
 a) after such transfer, re-capping the at least one flexible squeeze-tube with the access-opening cap; and  
 b) after such transfer, re-capping the at least one original container with such at least one threaded original cap.  
 
     
     
         54 ) A method of making a flexible squeeze-tube comprising, in combination: 
 a) providing at least one empty flexible squeeze-tube body portion normally comprising at least one first open end and at least one second open end;    b) wherein said at least one first open end comprises a reclosable access system; and    c) wherein said reclosable access system, when closed, seals such at least one first open end; and    d) without filling such at least one empty flexible squeeze-tube body portion, sealing such at least one second open end.    
     
     
         55 ) The method of  claim 54  wherein said at least one first open end comprises a replacement cap structured and arranged to permit filling of such at least one empty flexible squeeze-tube body portion.  
     
     
         56 ) A product made by the method according to  claim 54 .  
     
     
         57 ) A product comprising, in combination: 
 a) at least one empty flexible squeeze-tube body portion having at least one first end and at least one second end;    b) wherein said at least one empty flexible squeeze-tube body portion is new and unused for containment;    c) wherein said at least one first end comprises a reclosable access system wherein said reclosable access system, when closed, seals such at least one first open end; and    d) wherein said at least one second end comprises a permanent “linear” tube-type seal closure.    
     
     
         58 ) A portable refilling system comprising a kit, for use and transport of at least one flowable substance from at least one user-selected transferring flexible squeeze-tube comprising at least one first access-opening to at least one receiving flexible squeeze-tube comprising at least one second access-opening, in combination: 
 a) a plurality of receiving flexible squeeze-tubes structured and arranged to contain the at least one flowable substance;    b) at least one transferor structured and arranged to transfer the at least one flowable substance from the at least one user-selected transferring flexible squeeze-tube to at least one of said plurality of receiving flexible squeeze-tubes;    c) wherein each of said plurality of receiving flexible squeeze-tubes comprises at least one aperture adapted for passage of the flowable substance;    d) Wherein said at least one transferor comprises at least one transferring adapter structured and arranged to adapt the at least one first access-opening to transfer the flowable substance into at least one of said plurality of receiving flexible squeeze-tubes;    e) wherein said at least one transferor comprises at least one receiving adapter structured and arranged to adapt the at least one second access-opening to receive the flowable substance from said at least one transferring adapter into at least one of said plurality of receiving flexible squeeze-tubes; and    f) wherein a user may transfer the at least one flowable substance from the at least one user-selected transferring flexible squeeze-tube to at least one of said plurality of receiving flexible squeeze-tubes.    
     
     
         59 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 58  wherein said at least one transferring adapter comprises: 
 a) a plurality of filler-cap assemblies, each respective filler-cap assembly comprising, 
 i) a filler nozzle element comprising an adapter base diameter structured and arranged to fit said at least one threaded opening, and  
 ii) a cover structured and arranged to cover said filler-nozzle element of said filler-cap assembly.  
 
 
     
     
         60 ) The portable refilling system according to  claim 59  wherein said plurality of filler-cap assemblies comprises a plurality of Yorker caps.  
     
     
         61 ) A kit comprising a plurality of squeeze-tubes, each such squeeze-tube comprising, in combination: 
 a) at least one empty flexible squeeze-tube body portion having at least one first end and at least one second end;    b) wherein said at least one empty flexible squeeze-tube body portion is new and unused for containment;    c) wherein said at least one first end comprises a reclosable access system wherein said reclosable access system, when closed, seals such at least one first open end; and    d) wherein said at least one second end comprises a permanent “linear” tube-type seal closure.